Suitable Dither fish for a Clown Loach tank

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
The archerfish size is jaw-dropping at 12 in…even a juvenile with the potential of growing that size puts me right back where I was with an Oscar….I’m kind of over that and think something non-threatening to my CLs might be prudent. I’m going to let things settle down in the tank and for the time being maybe add a few more CLs and keep researching which tetra Dither I’ll go with in the not too distant future. Thanks for the direction everyone, it’s appreciated…..
 
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That's banded archerfish. Smallscale archerfish are only 13cm, that recommendation was indeed made with a non-threatening fish in mind.

Bandeds are also brackish, so not loach-compatible.

Glad we could help.
 
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Backfromthedead said:
I would go with either mascara barb, roseline barb, filament barb, or Rohani barb.
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You kind of read my mind on initial rapid thoughts for recommendations that didn't consider any factors, lol. Though there are reasons I didn't recommend them.

When I made a thread asking about D. filamentosa/D. assimilis, a 1.52-1.83m tank was recommended as the starting point as they were said to be skittish in 1.22m tanks but calmed in tanks that size (in other words, from not enough space to enough space).
Ditto the roseline sharks, I've been told they use all the space in 1.83m+ tanks and are jumpy in 1.22m tanks, just like above.

Granted, clown loaches also need larger than 1.22m for their adult size, but their slower growth gives more wiggle room than with these barb/shark species. D. rohani may work though, on account of the smaller size.
 
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M MultipleTankSyndrome . I've tagged you in another thread regarding another potential option for you. But i'll also post it here too so everything's in the same place for reference.

I know you well enough by now that you'll research the hell out of my candidate, and rightly so, i'm sure no stone will be left unturned in your efforts to establish its suitability as tank mates for your clowns!

The only negative that you may be put off by is the eventual size of these guys. Reports claim they max out at up to 8-9", which would eliminate them from your list.

I wouldn't worry too much about the size issue, I can't see mine achieving 8-9" at all in a home aquarium, they are very slow growing. My biggest is currently about 6". Easy to feed. Use all levels of the tank. And mine don't even acknowledge that my clowns are in the same tank, and vice versa. So no compatibility issues.

They seem quite an odd ball too, not many have them, so I doubt they'd be "on the shelf" type fish, you may have to order.

They are Cyclocheilichthys apogon, the Beardless barb. I mean look at these beauties, they are stunning!

IMG_20220709_220023_HDR.jpg
 
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Very nice, looks like a cousin to the Tinfoil ......a 75 might be too small for even one of those jewels and you'd want at least two.
 
I have had Boeseman's Rainbow, Arnold's Red-eyed Tetra and Congo Tetra during the 27 year period I have kept my six Clown Loaches.

I considered the Denison Barb/Roseline but decided it may not be a good idea to keep this species at its highest tolerated temperature permanently.

I currently have Harlequin Rasbora and rate these as my favourite dithers so far.

They are colourful, active, reliable, easy to feed and have no issues with each other.

My Clown Loaches have never even looked at them funny so the question of them being too small has been answered for me.

They also swim at the upper part of the aquarium which is useful.

I have generally reduced the bioload in my aquarium as my Clown Loaches increased in size and became the star attractions and these fish fit in with my strategy.

A top class fish and now one of my favourites.
 
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Redshark1 said:
I have had Boeseman's Rainbow, Arnold's Red-eyed Tetra and Congo Tetra during the 27 year period I have kept my six Clown Loaches.

I considered the Denison Barb/Roseline but decided it may not be a good idea to keep this species at its highest tolerated temperature permanently.

I currently have Harlequin Rasbora and rate these as my favourite dithers so far.

They are colourful, active, reliable, easy to feed and have no issues with each other.

My Clown Loaches have never even looked at them funny so the question of them being too small has been answered for me.

They also swim at the upper part of the aquarium which is useful.

I have generally reduced the bioload in my aquarium as my Clown Loaches increased in size and became the star attractions and these fish fit in with my strategy.

A top class fish and now one of my favourites.
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Hummm these may be easily available and I'm with you, eventually the CLs will become the Centerpiece (that can take some time/years) and I might be able to find these locally....thanks
 
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